Beach End, Devon

Open Oak Frame with river views

Location:Dittisham, Devon

River side open plan extension and boathouse

Beach End is situated on the banks of the River Dart, just a few miles down the road from our Devon yard.

The existing cottage was extended to add a large, open plan kitchen and dining room, with the east-facing glazed gable end allowing for panoramic views up and downstream in one of the most picturesque parts of the South Hams.

Being surrounded by water lent itself perfectly to a boathouse space, situated below the oak frame with slipway access to the water.

Beach End has been in Patrick Robinson’s family since 1969 and was in serious need of refurbishment, having been the perfect venue for numerous gatherings and parties for decades. Patrick and wife Susie decided to undertake the refurbishment and remodelling project in 2011.

‘We recognised the opportunity to do something really special. We knew a timber frame would look and feel good internally and externally and sit easily on a very prominent site.’ – Patrick Robinson.

The Robinsons live in Australia so had to project manage from the other side of the world – Beach End took nearly three years to complete.

The build presented an interesting challenge, with vehicle access only available at low tide – passing under the pontoon and along the beach up to the property.

The timber and all other materials had to be delivered using this route. A telehandler drove under the pontoon across the foreshore and onto the quay, along with a spider crane on the beach to handle the larger sections of timber and lift them into place.

The oak frame is a variation of an arch brace frame and has hidden steelwork to reinforce the frame. The substantial reworking of the existing house also included the incorporation of an oak entrance screen and master bedroom gable frame. The boathouse was a new addition and has half a frame projecting, supported on oak brackets.

‘The new timber frame structure is the outstanding feature of the house. It looks great but unostentatious from the river and provides a wonderful outlook. At high tide, you feel you are actually over the water.’ – Patrick Robinson